The twelfth day of the election period.
Upon arriving at school, I picked up the latest election bulletin and checked the changes in the support rates.
As expected, Ren Joto’s numbers had pulled far ahead of ours. Having secured 45% of the vote, Joto had effectively won over nearly half the student body.
However—
(...There’s no need to be shaken.)
What I needed to do had already been decided.
Moreover, the fact that the support rates were fluctuating this much in the final stages was proof that the students’ hearts were still wavering. Although a significant number of votes had shifted to Joto during yesterday's public debate, there likely weren't many students who supported him from the bottom of their hearts yet. A gap created in a single day could be recovered in a single day.
“Tomonari-kun, good morning!”
As I prepared the day's flyers and headed toward the grounds, I ran into Asahi-san on her way to class.
“Good morning, Asahi-san.”
“Today’s the last day for handing out flyers, isn't it? Give me my share.”
“Please, go ahead.”
In the end, ever since the matter with Rintaro was settled, Asahi-san had helped us every day. Taisho would probably be joining us later as well.
I wondered what she would think of the final version of the flyer. Asahi-san stared at the page in silence for a moment, then smiled.
“...This is really good! I’m looking forward to after school!”
“Thank you.”
I was satisfied to see the reaction I’d hoped for.
But immediately after, I wondered if this was enough. Was it right to simply offer a brief word of thanks and part ways after she had helped us until the very end?
Feeling it was a bit too curt, I looked at Asahi-san again.
“Asahi-san, thank you so much for helping us until today. During this election, I was saved many times by your optimism.”
“Ahaha... It’s embarrassing to be thanked so directly like that.”
Asahi-san scratched her cheek sheepishly.
“But you were the one who cheered me up, Tomonari-kun.”
“My contribution is half of it at best.”
While I was happy she felt indebted...
“In Rintaro’s case, you were the one suffering the most, and you were the one working the hardest, Asahi-san.”
It shouldn't have been a problem that an outsider could solve on their own. Because Asahi-san was so desperate to fix things, it only took a little push from me to make it work.
“The election will be over soon, but your battle is just beginning. So, next time, it’s my turn to help you.”
Since Asahi-san had decided to pursue the mobile home appliance sales business in the real world, she would surely face various difficulties after the election. I felt responsible for having pushed her forward. If she faced trouble in the future, I had to be there for her.
...I felt like we’d had a conversation like this before.
It was the day after the situation with Rintaro had settled. At that time, our positions were reversed, and Asahi-san had promised to help me. I felt like we were caught in a loop of mutual support, but I welcomed that kind of cycle.
What exactly had I said to her back then?
............I remembered.
“Please, tell me anything. Next time, I will be your hands and feet, Asahi-san.”
“...Ah.”
Asahi-san’s cheeks suddenly flushed crimson, and she covered them with both hands as if to hide the heat.
“Uuuu............ This is bad.”
“Eh?”
“W-Wait a second. Move back a little.”
Looking completely flustered, Asahi-san backpedaled to put some distance between us.
“Ehehe... If we go any further, um, it’ll be disrespectful to Tennoji-san and the others...”
With even her ears turning bright red, Asahi-san looked at me with moist eyes.
Why did Tennoji-san’s name come up here? I began to worry about Asahi-san as she spoke haltingly, as if in a feverish trance.
“Asahi-san, are you feeling alright? Maybe your health—”
“Waaah!”
When I stepped closer to check her complexion, she scrambled away with incredible force.
What...?
“T-Tomonari-kun!”
“Yes?!”
Since she had suddenly shouted my name, I reflexively answered in a loud voice as well.
“K-Keep that kind of talk for Tennoji-san and the others!”
“Yes!.....................Wait, what?”
After answering out of reflex, I tilted my head, not understanding her meaning.
“Um, 'that kind of talk'... what exactly...?”
“Think about it yourself!”
Asahi-san pointed a finger at me. As I stood there perplexed, a male student approached us.
“...What are you two doing in the middle of the school entrance?”
Rintaro arrived with an exasperated look on his face.
“Good morning, Tomonari-senpai.”
“Morning, Rintaro....Look, sorry for doubting you yesterday.”
“It’s fine. In the first place, it’s my fault for doing something that made me look suspicious.”
Although I hadn't been calm at the time, falling into paranoia from the start was a mistake. I should have known that Rintaro truly regretted the negative campaign. However, Rintaro didn't seem to mind and lightly brushed off my apology.
Then, Rintaro looked toward Asahi-san, who was still red-faced.
“Sister, if it’s Tomonari-senpai, I’ll support you, you know?”
“Wha—?!”
“If the two of you get into that kind of relationship, it’ll be easier for me to scout Tomonari-senpai into our company. So, come on, show off a bit more. You’re clever, Sister, so you can do all sorts of things. Except for using feminine wiles, that is.”
“R-Rintaro!”
Rintaro ran off, and Asahi-san chased after him. I couldn't tell if they actually got along or not, but to an outsider, they looked quite close.
In any case, I should start handing out flyers....Just as I thought that, Rintaro made a sharp turn and jogged back to me.
“May I have a flyer?”
“Oh, sure.”
He could have just gotten one from Asahi-san...
Looking over, I saw Asahi-san resting in the distance with her hands on her knees. It seemed the contest of stamina had gone to Rintaro. When I handed him the flyer, Rintaro read it with a serious expression.
“...As I thought, I really wanted you to come to our camp, Tomonari-senpai.”
Rintaro smiled somewhat sadly.
◆
After school.
I took a deep breath in front of the study room we had used previously. Excluding the final speech, this moment would be the final battle for us executive candidates.
I thought back on the race so far. Ever since the election period began, we had been in a continuous exchange of speeches. Flyers, posters, and then the 'Candidate Daily Life Peeking Corner' that Minato-senpai had created. Initially, these elements were the main drivers of our support.
Then, Rintaro launched his negative campaign. After talking with Asahi-san, we resolved that issue, but two new problems surfaced in its place. One was that our election activities had stalled while we were busy dispelling rumors.
The other was that Ren Joto had finally started to get serious.
The first thing Joto did upon deciding to go all out was to draw Minato-senpai to his side. We countered this by securing the cooperation of Asahi-san, Taisho, Suminoe-san, Kita, and Hinako. The battle of support fire had settled into what could best be called a stalemate.
Afterward, we launched our guerrilla marketing.
That had been mostly a success, but we couldn't create a large gap with Joto. Thinking back, I had originally wanted to settle things there and limit the remaining few days to standard election activities. But Joto wouldn't allow that.
In the subsequent public debate, we were entrapped by Minato-senpai and put at a disadvantage. Having arrived at today in that state, we were still the underdogs.
Starting with the guerrilla marketing, we had been attracting the students' attention with events rather than speeches. At this point, simply giving another speech wouldn't lead to a dramatic change in support. I had discussed this with Tennoji-san and the others last night.
As a result, what did we decide to do for the final battle—?
“Um.”
As I was taking yet another deep breath, a female student called out to me.
“Is Tennoji-san’s... here?”
“Yes, this is the right room. Please, come inside.”
I guided the student into the study room. The space had completely changed since the last time we used it. Previously, there were rows of desks with computers, but now all those facilities had been moved to another room. Instead, various booths had been set up in the center.
The one who conceived of this was Tennoji-san.
“Welcome—to the Manifesto Experience Fair.”
The Manifesto Experience Fair. That was the final move we had chosen.
Literally, it was an event where students could preview a future where our campaign promises had been realized. For example, Tennoji-san’s booth featured several stations: one where a student could consult one-on-one with an etiquette instructor, a lecture-format station, and a practical station for teaching table etiquette.
Tennoji-san had developed the concept for each booth from start to finish. As for what she was doing now, she was acting as an instructor herself.
“When eating soup, you move the spoon from the front to the back.”
I could hear Tennoji-san’s voice from the booth by the window. Four chairs surrounded a round table, with a student in each seat. Various cutlery was placed on the table, and plates of soup were prepared for the students.
“What should I do when the soup gets low?”
“Like this—you tilt the plate and scoop it up without making a sound.”
Tennoji-san demonstrated, tilting the plate away from her to scoop the liquid.
(...How nostalgic.)
Moving the spoon from front to back—that was the British-style etiquette.
When I had first become a caretaker, I had etiquette hammered into me by Shizune in that same way. Later, I was taught further by Tennoji-san, and my table etiquette was perfected. The poise I had acquired carried the legacy of both Shizune and Tennoji-san.
“If I'm too conscious of etiquette, won't it make me seem stiff?”
“It is a case-by-case basis. If you are dining with a superior, it is not wise to break form first. If there is a business connection, I imagine there will be a second or third dinner, so there is no need to rush to close the distance.”
Personal anecdotes like that were probably the most useful information.
Knowledge and practice were two different things. It was common for someone to ace a test but fail when it came to actual application. In that regard, Tennoji-san’s anecdotes—coming from a veteran of high-society functions—captivated the students.
Next, a noodle dish was served. The student sitting opposite Tennoji-san slurped the noodles as they ate.
“That looks like a very delicious way to eat, but slurping noodles is a breach of etiquette.”
“Eh, is it even bad in China?”
“Yes. Slurping noodles while eating is unique to Japan.”
“...I didn't know that. Most of my previous dinner companions were from Mediterranean countries.”
I didn't know that either. Now that I thought about it, I had been taught British and French-style table etiquette, but I hadn't learned much about Asian customs. I’d have to ask Tennoji-san or Shizune to teach me later.
Among the students, some were smacking their lips at the quality of the food. Even the students of Kikou Academy, who had sophisticated palates, were charmed by the first-class cuisine.
All the food was prepared by professional chefs. I had consulted with Tennoji-san for a long time regarding this. There was a suggestion that using food samples would be cheaper, but we ultimately rejected it because we were the Conservative faction.
In contrast to Joto, who tried to change the academy’s traditions through 'scrap and build', we valued the heritage of Kikou Academy—the 'Kikou Academy-ness.'
So, what was Kikou Academy-ness?
It was being the real thing.
If we cut corners here, even the values we held dear would disappear. Therefore, we decided to skip the samples and use real food.
We would use the money. We would rely on connections. We would borrow the power of our families. Educating top-tier people in the best environment—that was Kikou Academy.
Shifting my gaze, I saw the female student I had guided earlier enter the booth for one-on-one consultations.
“I have an important dinner next week, but I’m not confident in my table etiquette...”
“Then let me instruct you. Has the restaurant been decided?”
“I heard it's a ristorante.”
“I see. In that case, just to be safe, shall we also discuss the dress code?”
A ristorante usually refers to a high-end Italian establishment. Generally, there is a dress code, and orders are placed by course. However, since casual shops have also been called ristorantes recently, it’s best to check the atmosphere of the shop before deciding on an outfit.
Returning my gaze to the table etiquette booth, the students were leaving as their lesson ended. However, others entered immediately. Tennoji-san seemed to have no time to rest, but she looked completely fulfilled.
Seeing a student enter the booth, Tennoji-san spoke up.
“Oh, it’s been a while.”
“Y-You remembered me? I was in the same class as you last year...”
“I remember. Now, please have a seat.”
The student looked delighted and sat across from Tennoji-san. It was likely a testament to her character. Tennoji-san’s booth was by far the most popular.
(I should go check on Narika’s side, too.)
I wanted to see how the other Manifesto Experience Fair was doing. Just as I was about to leave the study room, I ran into Mr. Fukushima.
“Mr. Fukushima.”
“Tomonari-kun, good work.”
“Good work to you too....Thank you for permitting this event.”
“Don’t worry about it. Since utilizing empty classrooms for election activities was already discussed during the guerrilla marketing phase, I was able to give permission without any trouble.”
Just like with the guerrilla marketing, I had consulted various teachers for this fair. I couldn't thank them enough for taking the time out of their busy schedules.
“Even so... you’ve planned a wonderful event.”
Mr. Fukushima said, peeking into the study room from the hallway. Hearing that from a teacher's perspective gave me a boost of confidence.
“This is a scene that couldn't be created without a manager’s vision.”
As expected, she had grasped our intentions in an instant. She wasn't a teacher at Kikou Academy for nothing.
“Yes, that’s exactly why we planned it.”
We exchanged brief smiles. Naturally, this fair wasn't just for show. We saw two distinct chances for victory in this event. If it was Mr. Fukushima, she had likely seen through both of them.
“...During this election period, several executive candidates have visited the staff room.”
Mr. Fukushima suddenly began to speak of such things. Just like me, there must have been students who wanted to consult the teachers.
“Among them, the one who visited the staff room the most was... you, Tomonari-kun.”
I had a vague realization of that myself.
“I’m sorry for being such a frequent nuisance.”
“No, no, I’m praising you.”
I tilted my head. It didn't sound like that at all....However, Mr. Fukushima had a gentle expression as if she were truly impressed.
“Actually, every year when the election begins, a rumor spreads among the teachers... that the student who gets elected is the one who showed their face in the staff room the most.”
Such a rumor...
“In fact, last year and the year before that, it turned out that way. But it’s understandable, isn't it? Visiting the staff room frequently means you are challenging the status quo. I think that drive captures the hearts of the students.”
Mr. Fukushima explained the logic behind the rumor.
“This year’s Student Council election has been more lively than usual. Given my position, I cannot favor any specific student... but I believe you are the reason for that, Tomonari-kun.”
“...Thank you.”
Considering her position, she was likely praising me indirectly. To be told that by someone who had seen the previous elections... it was truly gratifying.
“You might want to prepare yourself mentally. I think you’ll become the Vice President if things continue like this.”
“If things continue, huh...?”
When I let out an uneasy breath, Mr. Fukushima tilted her head curiously. I understood what she meant. Rintaro had been lying low since the negative campaign incident; that was likely his way of reflecting. So, I could see why it would be thought that I would be elected if things proceeded normally, but...
“Is there some anxiety?”
“Um... I might not be chosen as the Vice President.”
Mr. Fukushima’s eyes widened. “Why is that?”
“Well... sorry, it’s a long story, so I’ll stop for now. I think Tennoji-san or Narika will explain it during the final speech.”
I wanted to check on Narika as well, so I’d have to save the explanation for later.
“However, even if I’m not chosen, I won't have any regrets. Please don’t worry about it, teacher.”
“...I understand.”
Mr. Fukushima turned on her heel, looking somewhat reluctant to let it go. I’d made her worry... after apologizing to her once more in my heart, I headed toward Narika’s Manifesto Experience Fair.
◆
Tennoji-san’s Manifesto Experience Fair was an etiquette course in the study room.
Narika’s was a Salon in the auditorium.
At first, we thought about using the campus café, but that would have inconvenienced the regular customers. So, like Tennoji-san, we decided to use a facility that went unused after school. Since the auditorium is only used for assemblies, it's usually an empty space. We were only borrowing it temporarily for now, but if Narika became the President, we might be allowed to use it permanently. Just by suggesting that possibility, the students could feel a sense of reality in Narika’s campaign promise.
The Salon, making full use of the auditorium, looked like a large café. While there were round tables, no chairs were provided. We had intentionally made this a standing-room-only event. If students sat in chairs, their positions would be fixed, limiting the interaction that was the Salon's primary purpose. A standing format allowed people to move and mingle more freely.
That said, since some people would get tired, we did place chairs along the walls. I hoped for a flow where tired students would take a break by the wall for a while and then move back to the central tables... that was what Narika and I had decided.
From what I could see, that vision had been perfectly realized.
There was a particularly large crowd in the center of the Salon. In the middle of it, a female student spoke to Narika somewhat hesitantly.
“Actually, I’m not good at martial arts, and my parents often scold me for it...”
“In that case, I shall teach you.”
“R-Really?”
“Yes. In exchange, you were good at your studies, weren't you? I believe that young man over there is having trouble with his history class. I’d like you to teach him if you don’t mind.”
Narika connected the students skillfully. The male student who was struggling bowed lightly to the girl.
“Please.”
“Leave it to me. History is my specialty.”
Leaving aside the fact that Narika probably needed a tutor herself... it seemed this fair was also going smoothly.
Narika’s campaign promise to establish a Salon, unlike Tennoji-san’s course, allowed each student to take on the role of an instructor. So to speak, everyone was a teacher, and everyone was a student. As a result, similar conversations were taking place at other tables where Narika wasn't present.
“My parents want me to succeed the family business, but I personally want to start a company overseas...”
“Oh, what a coincidence. I also have my sights set on working abroad, and I just consulted my parents about it the other day.”
“How did you persuade them?”
“Well, in my case, first—”
The students were actively discussing their futures.
Conversations meant to change themselves...
Looking at the scene, I remembered the Management Game. Everyone actively interacted to grow their own companies....Perhaps the Kikou Academy that Narika aimed for was to maintain the atmosphere of that game forever.
(...It’s going well.)
Narika’s campaign promise to establish a Salon to revitalize encounters between students felt simple in words, but in practice, it was producing incredibly meaningful results.
I had Shizune as my educator. I had Asahi-san and Taisho, who spoke to me frankly. But that was just good luck. Most students likely didn't have anyone like that. There were parts where I was helped specifically because of my position as a caretaker.
Publicly, I was the heir to a mid-sized IT company. If that were really the case—would I have been able to aspire to be a consultant? I didn't have that confidence. That’s why I deeply felt that encounters were everything.
To change yourself, who you meet is the key.
“You’re doing something on a large scale again.”
As I was observing the Salon, someone spoke to me. Turning around, I saw Ren Joto, the opponent we had to defeat, approaching. Joto stood right next to me and gazed at the room.
“Thanks to you, we’re cornered.”
When I said that, Joto looked as if he’d been struck by lightning.
“...I was prepared for a grievance or two, but you’re not going to say anything else?”
“Of course I want to. Like, 'you coward, didn't you learn anything from the Rintaro incident?'”
“Hahaha, I’m grateful you’re keeping it to yourself.”
Of course, of course. Because I’m a gentleman. There’s no way I’d say it out loud.
“You’ve planned something clever at the last minute. This is a method that politicians can't imitate.”
Joto said, looking at the students talking amicably.
“Politicians appeal to ideals. In contrast, managers promise to solve problems. It’s definitely the latter who can follow through on their words. As long as the necessary materials are gathered, managers will give it shape immediately.”
Exactly. That was the chance of victory that Mr. Fukushima had also seen.
In contrast to Joto, who appealed to the ideal of the 'commoner-ization' of the academy, we presented a problem-solving method that—while the scale or intent might change—was not difficult to realize. We were the Conservative faction. Therefore, we were also the practical faction. We had the advantage in the ability to turn ideals into reality.
“But even so...”
Joto was lost for words. I knew what he was going to say next.
Even so... it’s too lively.
Joto’s assessment of our strategy was mostly correct. However, he still seemed unsatisfied, a hint of gloom remaining on his expression. Certainly, this scene could only be created by management types. However, even with that in mind, the atmosphere before him was too charming to ignore.
He was overlooking something. But he didn't know what it was. Seeing through his state of mind, I asked.
“Did you figure out the second aim?”
“...Another one?”
It seemed Joto hadn't. Then, let’s give him the answer.
“Look at this scene.”
This was our second chance for victory—
“Doesn't it look fun? Like a school festival?”
Did I look as full of confidence as I felt? Joto froze for a moment, then smiled weakly.
“Ah, I see......................You got me.”
He understood now. Our second chance for victory.
“Every year, the Student Council’s first major job is organizing the school festival. That’s why the students are actually looking beyond the election period; they’re already excited for what's next. They’re wondering what kind of school festival it would be if this person became the President.”
Every event held by Kikou Academy was magnificent. The school festival was no exception, and although it was invitation-only, it was a massive affair. Every student looked forward to it.
That’s why————.
“Seeing this event, everyone must have thought: 'I want to leave the school festival to this person.'”
That was the victory we aimed for. To make them believe she was the right choice for the festival, this fair was intentionally designed to evoke that same atmosphere. It wasn't just a fun event. The Manifesto Experience Fair was a perfectly calculated business pitch for the school festival.
“Beyond the election, huh....I had a long-term vision, but I might have forgotten about the festival right under my nose.”
I understood the feeling. As the battle became more intense, we had no choice but to focus on the enemy right in front of us. We had almost no room to look beyond that.
“I realized it after looking at the collected surveys. The students here are all serious, and that’s why they look forward to an occasional break....I was surprised, too, but when I tallied the surveys, there were more people asking about events after the election than about the election itself.”
“I... didn't notice that.”
The anonymous survey format had made it easy for students to be honest. They could never tell a candidate to their face that they cared more about the festival than the platform, but the anonymity had let those opinions flood in.
“I don't use cowardly means like you do.”
I said to Joto, who looked troubled. What I was about to say—was the resolution I had made last night.
“But I’ve become aware of my own lukewarmness....It seems I respected you, my enemies, too much. I think that was because I was afraid. When you produced better results than me, I wanted to respect you rather than feel bitter. That way, the emotional damage was less....It’s easier to recover from respect than from bitterness.”
It wasn't that I believed everyone was innately good. I respected every opponent because I was afraid of my heart breaking. If I kept myself in a low position, when the opponent produced better results, I could tell myself I was simply honoring their talent. I could accept it and move on before getting hurt.
But there is no pride there. It’s like pretending to be weak to keep my heart safe. That was true cowardice.
This disposition of lightheartedly respecting people surely took root in me after I transferred to Kikou Academy. It was a survival tactic I’d acquired while desperately trying to survive an environment where everyone was more elite than me.
I had been saved by this personality many times. In fact, even Kagen-san had praised me for it. He said that because I could gaze with respect at anyone, I learned and grew faster than others. But while I was satisfied hearing those words, I had unknowingly stopped thinking. The survival tactic of starting with respect for any opponent had become a mere habit.
Respect becomes a seed of lack of vigilance. I ended up paying the price for that during this race. Settling that debt had involved not only me but even Tennoji-san and Narika.
Never again—I won't make the same mistake twice.
“If I become the Vice President, I have to fix this habit of being overly humble. Respecting anyone and everyone at the cost of my own side would only hurt the President.”
I didn't want to involve anyone other than myself like I had this time. I didn't want to drag the name of the person I sincerely respected through the mud.
“That’s why I intend to become stronger.............And I plan to eventually change this way of speaking, too.”
Joto’s eyebrow twitched. He must have been surprised by my sudden change in tone. I’m sorry if I’m confusing you. However, this is my true self. It’s the real me that I have to disclose little by little.
“This is as far as I can go. From here on, Tennoji-san and Narika will handle it.”
The only remaining activity is the final speech on Monday. The one to defeat Joto there won't be me. It’ll be Tennoji-san or Narika. But there is still time until then. I will use the remaining few days with everything I have for those two.
“Joto, bring it on. —We will definitely create a better academy than you.”
I did respect Joto, and I still felt he had a lead I could never catch up to. But even so, I clearly declared that he was my enemy. To defeat him—it was the first time I had directed such a strong will toward someone, and I felt strangely refreshed.
◆
After parting with Joto, I went back to observing Narika’s Salon. However, my feelings wouldn't settle so easily. In order to cool down, I picked up a glass from a table and took a drink. It was water with a faint hint of citrus. Even a simple drink tasted incredible here. The commoner’s sense painted over the lingering excitement.
“Miyakojima-san!”
A male student spoke to Narika in a very good mood.
“Thank you for setting up such a wonderful place! Coming here and hearing stories from various people, my long-standing troubles have been resolved!”
“I am glad to hear that. In that case, next time, I would like you to be the one to resolve someone’s troubles.”
“Yes!” The student smiled brightly. “Please become the President! I’m cheering for you!”
He said something heartening. Narika would surely be happy too. I thought so... but.
“...Yes. Thank you.”
Narika had a somewhat awkward smile on her face. The student left, perhaps not noticing. But I sensed that something was wrong.
(Narika?)
What is it? Why did she have such a guilty face when being cheered on? Before, Narika would have been happy with a pure smile. What changed?
“.....................Ah.”
Only one thing came to mind. The pure smile she should have been showing now—I remembered the last time I’d seen it. It was the day before the guerrilla marketing. We happened to have business in the staff room at the same time and walked together for a while. At that time, I saw her genuine smile.
(I see.)
Thinking back, she must have been troubled since then. When she was defeated in the debate, and when she was thinking about the fair, Narika was surely struggling in a way we didn't know. And now, a conclusion had been reached. That was why she couldn't purely be happy even when cheered on.
“Narika.”
I approached her and spoke.
“Itsuki...”
Turning around, Narika looked at me with a lonely expression. But eventually, she opened her mouth as if she had made up her mind.
“Itsuki, actually...!”
“I know. But is it okay if the person you talk to is just me?”
Interrupting Narika’s statement, I looked behind her. There was a first-year student there, wondering which table she should join.
“She’s here right now.”
She should also be involved in this. Narika grasped my intention, nodded with a tense expression, and headed toward the girl.
“Nishi-san.”
“Ah, Miyakojima-senpai. Good work.”
Nishi-san bowed in a friendly manner. Perhaps because they had spoken many times in the last few days, they looked like friends.
“I just got here, but it’s so crowded....I think everyone was looking for this kind of opportunity. You really are suited to be the Student Council President.”
Nishi-san directed sincere respect toward Narika. Come to think of it, Narika had that kind of natural talent since the Management Game—unconsciously finding and providing what everyone sought.
But Narika didn't soften her face even after receiving the praise. With a stiff expression, she spoke.
“There’s something I want to consult you about, Nishi-san. Could you come to that table over there?”
“...? Yes, I don’t mind.”
Nishi-san followed, tilting her head. The three of us surrounded an empty table.
“Um, what is it you want to talk about...?”
Nishi-san likely grasped that this wasn't just idle chatter. Without touching the glass on the table, she asked for the main subject.
“...I originally aimed for the Student Council President because I wanted to change myself,” Narika began to speak haltingly. “Specifically, I wanted to acquire the courage to interact with people. That’s why I aimed for the President's seat, where there seemed to be many such opportunities, but...”
Perhaps remembering the past days, her words stalled.
“As I continued the election activities, I began to worry if this path was correct.”
“...What do you mean?”
“I began to think that the position with the most opportunities to interact with people might not be the President.”
Worried, lost, and eventually reaching a conclusion, Narika declared: “While talking with you, Abeno-san, and Yodogawa-kun, my worry turned into a conviction. The position of President, while active in meetings between executives, often leaves interactions with general students to others....The President stands at a position one step away from the other students. That standing position isn't so different from me when I was feared by everyone.”
She wanted the courage to interact with people. Narika was focused on physical distance. Mental distance—the realm of impressions or images—wasn't enough. In the past, only the impression of being scary preceded her. Mental distance is fragile. People can unilaterally hold strange images of you.
If she became the President, everyone would have a good image of her. But Narika didn't want an image. She wanted the strong connection born from face-to-face interaction.
“Even if I become the President, nothing will change. That’s what I thought.”
Narika looked toward Nishi-san.
“So I thought about which position has the most opportunities to interact with people.”
Among the Student Council, that position was...
“Maybe, it’s... General Affairs.”
Nishi-san gave a small nod.
“...That’s right. Kikou Academy’s General Affairs officers also handle external relations, so it’s a position where one can interact with various people not only inside but also outside the academy.”
While saying that, Nishi-san likely realized what Narika was about to say next. Surprise was clear on her face, but she managed to stay remarkably calm.
What Narika was about to say was an unprecedented request. It would surely confuse many people, starting with Nishi-san. But Narika wouldn't stop.
“Nishi-san. Knowing it is unreasonable, I have a request.” Narika stared straight at her. “Could you yield the General Affairs position to me?”
Deeply, Narika bowed her head. The movement was very beautiful. I thought that because it was a simple action of bowing, the person’s character truly seeped out. It was the poise that only a master of martial arts could acquire—a mass of courtesy. Even though she was bowing, it made me feel like the one who was defeated.
But Nishi-san did not easily grant the request. She had a resolution, too.
“Please raise your head.”
Narika slowly did as she was told.
“My sister left many achievements as a General Affairs officer,” Nishi-san began. “For example, by inviting famous baristas to the campus café, she improved the quality of the products. When renovating the gardens, she had a famous designer come and change the landscape. It was also during my sister’s generation that we were able to call cabinet ministers to the opening ceremony of the Management Game.”
“That... is amazing.”
“Yes. She is a sister I am proud of.” Nishi-san smiled. “I aimed for General Affairs because I wanted to follow in her footsteps. But unlike my sister, I am mediocre, so I thought I should at least take action starting from my first year.”
So that was why she was aiming for an executive seat as a first-year. As a transfer student, I understood. Just after entering the academy, it would be difficult to even keep up with the lessons. Yet she had chosen an even steeper path.
“Will you shoulder all of my feelings?” Nishi-san looked at Narika and asked. She had placed pressure on Narika intentionally. Would Narika take on her dream?
Narika murmured a quiet “Well...” before answering.
“I shall do my best.”
Narika said with a sharp expression.
...Hmm. Should she have been more definitive there?
“...So you won't give a definitive answer there.”
As expected, Nishi-san looked at her with a flat gaze.
“I-I am sorry. But from what I’ve heard, your sister is quite capable. To be honest, I cannot promise that I can perform similarly at my current level.”
While Narika’s statement sounded unconfident, Nishi-san’s expression softened. She seemed happy that her sister’s achievements were being recognized so highly.
“So, when I am in trouble, can I consult with you, Nishi-san?”
At those words, Nishi-san’s eyes widened. “...Eh?”
“...Eh? I-Is that not allowed?”
For some reason, Narika was the one who was perplexed. Seeing those two, I couldn't help but burst out laughing.
Ah, that’s right. Narika was always like this. Her grades were one step behind Tennoji-san’s and Joto’s. She was good at sports, but in almost all other fields, she was behind. Even so, her support rate was neck-and-neck with theirs.
The reason was her potential.
Narika, who strongly wishes to change herself, will continue to grow. She might not reach Nishi-san’s sister today. But she has the iron will to reach her someday.
And that isn't something she has to do alone. Since the day she broke her shell, she had realized she couldn't change alone and started to actively rely on others. Narika grows through cooperation. She evolves by taking the bonds she makes and turning them into nourishment.
This was a talent Tennoji-san didn't have. That attitude of relying on people without hesitation was refreshing and pure, and it attracted people.
“Fufufu... Honestly. That’s just like you, Miyakojima-senpai.”
Nishi-san also started laughing a moment later. Only Narika was perplexed, not knowing why she was being laughed at. Don’t worry, we aren't exactly exasperated. We were relieved. Narika is a person who can shoulder people’s feelings in her own way.
Nishi-san bowed her head. “I shall yield the seat of General Affairs....I have only been looking at my sister’s back, but it seems like it would also be fun to follow yours, Miyakojima-senpai.”
“...Thank you.” Narika stated her thanks briefly.
After Nishi-san smiled gently, she looked at me. “Tomonari-senpai.”
Suddenly called, I, who had been standing there like furniture, was slow to react.
“You are indispensable to Miyakojima-senpai, aren't you?”
“Eh?”
“Miyakojima-senpai when she is with you is even more straightforward and cool than usual.”
To Nishi-san, the current Narika was cool. She has a good eye. I think so, too....Though I don’t know if it’s my influence.
“...Please,” Nishi-san said, bowing to me as well.
Please... was that about Narika? Or about the Student Council? In any case—
“Yes.” I nodded boldly.
Nishi-san looked satisfied and left without another word. Although she had yielded, she must still have complicated feelings to organize.
“...Was this really okay?” as soon as Nishi-san was out of sight, Narika murmured.
“I think it was,” I said to her. “Originally, you aimed for the Presidency because you wanted to change yourself, didn't you?”
“...Yes.”
Then there is no problem.
“You’ve changed enough. I, who have been watching you, guarantee it....So, from here on, I think you can live more freely.”
There might be things you can only get as President. But there is no reason to think that path is the only right one.
“If you’ve found something you want to do more than that... and if the people around you permit it, there’s no reason for you to hesitate.”
The day before the guerrilla marketing, Narika had told me with a pure smile that the work of General Affairs was fascinating. Her feelings are real.
I knew she had made a sudden change of direction. However, she had not spent her time in vain. Rather, she had thrown her whole soul into this fierce election. Precisely because she had fought with all her might, she had realized there was another path. If she had cut corners, she never would have reached this conclusion.
At that moment, tears spilled from Narika’s eyes.
“What are these tears... I wonder...” Narika said, not knowing why she was crying. “It’s not that I’m sad... but for some reason, they’re just overflowing...”
The tears became large drops, falling continuously onto the floor. The students nearby noticed and tried to approach worriedly, but I shook my head to stop them. It’s okay. She wasn't crying because she was sad.
“Is it because you’ve done everything you could?” I said as I looked around the Salon.
“You’ve worked hard. You, who were nervous just talking to strangers and never even thought of standing in front of a crowd, are now charming everyone here....There should be no one who misunderstands you anymore.”
Who could have predicted this? To engage in such a fierce battle with Tennoji-san. To stand up without flinching even before a strong enemy like Ren Joto.
“Good work. Get some rest.”
“Uaaa............ Itsukiiiiiiii............!”
Narika hugged me while crying. I was about to say that everyone was watching, but I noticed that her arms were faintly trembling, and I let out a small sigh.
When I gently stroked her head, Narika pressed her head against me.
Good work.
In my heart, once more, I offered her those words of comfort.